OK, so it's unimaginatively titled, "Volvo the Game," and it makes no secret of the fact that it's advertising for the Volvo S60 concept unveiled in January, and it's merely a free download for your PC from Volvo's website.
But this promotional video game could actually be worth checking out. Volvo contracted with the Swedish game developer, SimBin, which has a reputation for making hard-core PC racing simulations (GTR Evolution, for example), though the company released its first console-exclusive title (published by Atari), Race Pro, for the Xbox 360, in February.
You don't have to pay for Volvo the Game, of course, so it's a slim affair -- just six cars and two tracks. The S60 concept is one of the cars, obviously, while the others are race-prepped Volvos of the recent past -- a 240 Turbo Group A, BTCC (British Touring Car Championship) versions of the 850 wagon and first-generation S40 sedan, the STCC (Swedish Touring Car Championship) S60 sedan, and the C30 competing in the 2009 STCC.
The tracks are a little obscure -- Gothenburg Eco Drive Arena in Sweden and Chayka near Kiev, Ukraine -- probably a cost-trimming measure rather than a reflection of the cars or the game itself. After all, the Nurburgring Nordschleife is one of the tracks in SimBin's normal racing sims.
We're downloading the game for a quick spin, but if you don't want to commit to that, there's a preview video after the jump.
mike63amg says:
06:24 PM, 05/26/09
The new S60 actually handles, for the most part. There is plenty of grip, and much less understeer than I would have ever expected. And, on these pre-production virtual concept prototypes, you can even turn the traction and stability control off along with ABS. Even with all the electronic aids off though, you really have provoke it to get the tail step out. However, high-speed stability seemed poor, with shaking and shimming down the long straights. Let's just they get that last bit fixed for the production cars.
subytrojan says:
06:55 PM, 05/26/09
I think SimBin also made the BMW M3 Challenge game, too! You, too, can drive an E92 M3 for free!
http://www.bmw.com/com/en/newvehicles/mseries/m3coupe/2007/experience/game/content.html
isend2c says:
08:02 PM, 05/27/09
If you compare the game to Forza 2 (the leader in simulation driving games) it sucks. The cars do not handle well and the game seems poorly made. You're better off driving the 2004 S60 R in Forza.
It's only saving grace is that it's free. Controls with the keyboard are lame, and only mildly better with a XboX 360 controller.
I really do doubt that this is just exactly how the car will handle. mike63amg is talking as if it's a review of the car... it's not. It's a game.
willleung_0 says:
08:48 PM, 05/27/09
Are you sure Forza 2 is a simulation game?